Means for cleaning and dressing footwear and the like



July 28, 1959 P. BARTKEWITZ 2,895,235

MEANS FOR CLEANING AND DRESSING FOOTWEAR AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 5. 1955 MEANS FOR CLEANING AND DRESSING FOU'IWEAR AND THE LIKE Paul Bartlrewitz, Bietigheiin, Wurttemburg, Germany Application January 3, 1955, Serial No. 479,614 Claims priority, application Germany January 4, 1954 4 Claims. (Cl. -134) This invention relates to a device for the treatment of shoes and boots and other articles of leather or leatherlike materials.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for the dressing of shoes and boots and other articles of leather or leather-like materials in which the leather is cleaned as well as provided with the required dressing means in one operation, a further object being that the device shall be very simple and will not require the use of any additional devices such as brushes, rags, etc.

The invention consists of a new device for cleaning and dressing shoes and boots of natural or artificial smooth or raw leather or buckskin or leather-like textile materials by means of a leather dressing means which is applied in fine distribution to the surfaces to be treated and is spread thereon by rubbing.

This new device differs from those hitherto known by this, that for the distribution and spreading of the dressing means, use is made of a sponge member which is elastic and finely porous and is surrounded on one of its sides directly by the dressing means, and which preferably closes the container of the dressing means and is so constituted that owing to its deformation, associated with suction and pressure in its pores resulting during the application and rubbing thereof on the surface to be treated, small amounts of the dressing means pass through the pores on to the outer surface of the sponge member, and when the pressure is released they are retained in the pores. 1

It is known to distribute and rub a liquid cleaning means for textile materials on the surface of the material to be cleaned by using a device in which the cleaning liquid comes directly from the container through a rigid and porous filter secured to the container and is distributed. However, such a device is applicable only for easily liquefiable cleaning means, evaporating without any residues and which cannot clog the pores of the solid non-elastic porous member. Such a device is not suitable for the cleaning of leather owing to the rigidity of the filter.

Brush-like devices have also been proposed in which the handles of the brush are constructed as containers for a cleaning liquid, which passes through the holes in the lower surface of the brush handle carrying the actual brush, and is spread by rubbing of bristles or non-porous rubber projections provided on the lower side of the brush handle. In such devices the cleaning liquid may also contain dressing means.

These known devices, however, require that the actual brushes be frequently and carefully cleaned, since the non-volatile constituents of the means that are used are deposited on these brushes and hardened thereon.

In contradistinction thereto, the invention has the advantage that the elastic, finely porous sponge member, preferably closing the container of the dressing means, owing to its finely porous structure allows only easily liquefiable or finely pulverised dressing means to pass through, which are retained in the-fine pores and are 2,896,236 Patented July 28, 1959 released only under pressure so that each time only so much dressing means passes out on to the surface to be treated as is required for the treatment, whilst the excess of the dressing means is again sucked into the sponge member and/or retained in the pores thereof when the pressure is released.

In order to simplify and facilitate the application of the dressing, the device used for the distribution and rubbing on of the cleaning and/or dressing means consists of a container of any desired shape containing the cleaning and/or dressing means, which container is closed by an elastic sponge member of finely porous structure in such a manner that a large portion of the sponge member projects freely from a holder. The sponge member has to project so far from the holder, that its free end can be elastically compressed during the rubbing over the leather or leather-like material that is to be treated. Due to the fact that the inner part of the porous member is constantly in contact with the interior of the container, liquid, for instance, oozes into the pores of the sponge member and is pressed out from its projecting part during the application of pressure upon the surface to be treated, and when the pressure is released, it is sucked again into the sponge member owing to capillary action.

Also a finely pulverised powder or a viscous liquid, for instance a paste, can pass through the much interlaced pores of the sponge member when the latter is greatly deformed. The strongly made sponge member serves at the same time as a cleaning brush since, during the to and fro rubbing upon the leather surface, it removes the dirt particles which are released by the rubbing, whilst sparing the leather, and at the same time it rubs the liquid or the pulverised dressing means into the leather. The sponge member also ensures that actually only finely pulverised dye particles can reach the leather in uniform distribution, whereby a strip-like coloring of the leather, which has an unpleasant appearance, is avoided.

An especially favorable attachment of the sponge member is obtained by the sponge member being mounted in a lid provided with one or more perforations, which lid closes a filling opening of the container.

One form of construction which facilitates the filling of the container and the reliable attachment of the sponge member consists in the sponge member being secured in a lid of the container which is provided with a flanged edge and a single perforation or a number of correspondingly smaller perforations being provided in the bottom surface of the lid, through which the dressing and dyeing means can penetrate into the pores of the sponge member.

In order to facilitate the operation of the new device, the container is made of such a shape that it can be easily handled. Such a shape is obtained by constructing the container in the form of a cylindrical tube having a diameter of about 3-4 cm., which is entirely closed at one end and engages at the other end with a lid carrying the sponge member, which lid is flanged and provided with perforations and is slid into the open end of the tube.

The lid carrying the sponge member is preferably so secured in the open end of the tube, that in the proximity of its open end the cylindrical tube is provided with a circular inwardly projecting bead, which forms an abutment for the lid slid into the open end of the tube. A separate packing may be inserted between the bent flange of the lid and the inner wall of the cylindrical tube or a binder (glue) may be coated on to hold the parts together.

According to the invention, the container is provided at its upper end that receives the sponge member with an outer screw-thread on which a screw-cap covering the sponge member can be screwed.

A device according to the invention may also be usedeven when it is-actuallyintended only for the use of powder--to rem ove stains on leather or leather-like materials by providing a stain removing means upon the leather or the sponge member and then rubbing it on to the leather. Thereby the sponge member comes in contact with solvents which it necessarily must withstand. For this reason, it is advisable to make the sponge member of an artificial foam, which is resistant to the action of dirt solvents, such as spirit, turpentine, benzene or the like. a j

' An -artificial foam of polyurethan has been found to be especially suitable for the production of the sponge member.

It has been found, that in the case of an ordinary complete sponge member, dressing and dyeing means pass out of the open parts of the sponge member in all directions. Thus, 'dressing means are applied not only to the end surface of the sponge member intended for the application to the shoe or the like, but also to the side surfaces. In order to concentrate the emergence of the dressing means mainly at the end surface of the sponge member, it is an advantage to provide the sponge member on its surface facing the inside of the container with a deep, preferably central, recess which penetrates so far into the sponge member that a distance of only 2 to 8 mms, remains between the inner end of the recess and the outer end surface of the sponge member.

Owing to the smaller distance through the pores in the end surface of the sponge member, in the case of a sponge member thus constructed, the major portion of the dressing means leaves at the center thereof, where it is always taken up by part of the end surface of the sponge member during the rubbing movement, and is rubbed into the leather.

The advantageous action of the inner recess in the sponge member can, according to the invention, be further increased, especially in the case of powder by providing, the sponge member, constructed as a right circular cylinder, on its outer end surface with a central recess, or with several shallow recesses uniformly distributed over the end surface, the depth of the recess or recesses being such that between the bottom of the outer recesses and the inner end of the inner central recess there remains a distance of 1 to mms.

The powder is uniformly distributed through the recesses of the sponge member lying in the end surface, more particularly in the case of circular rubbing movements, over the end surface of the sponge member and then over the whole surface of the leather to be treated.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure l is a container for the cleaning and dressing means without the sponge member which closes it;

Figure 2 shows a screw-cap for closing the container, half sectioned;

Figure 3 is a section through the upper end of the container with the sponge member inserted therein and screwed-on closing cap;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the sponge member insertion, seen from below;

Figure 5 is a plan view of another sponge member insertion, also seen from below;

Figure 6 shows sectioned in half, a sponge member secured in a lid, which sponge member is intended to be used in the case of powder-like dressing means;

Figure 7 is a view of a sponge member intended for a powdered dressing means, seen from below;

Figure 8 is a view of the sponge member according to Figure 7, seenfrom above.

The container 1, consisting of a tube of metal, elastic synthetic material, or the like and closed at one end, is provided inthe proximity of its upper end with a screw- 4 7 thread 2 and, over it, with a circular abutment 3a which is pressed inwardlyand is located close underneath the collar-like upper flange 3 (see Figure l).

The lid 4, which is slid with an exact fit into the collarlike flange 3, up to the bead 3a, has a bent over flange 4a, the outer diameter of which is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the collar-like flange 3; a circular opening 5 is provided in the center of the lid 4. The cylindrical sponge member 6 is secured in the lid 4; it may be welded or stuck therein. The lower side of the sponge member is directly connected with the internal space of the container, through the opening 5 (see Figure 3).

The closing cap 7 is provided with a screw-thread 8 corresponding to the screw-thread 2 of the container 1. The separately represen'tedparts in Figures 1 and 2, are assembled in Figure 3; the closing cap 7 is screwed on to the container 1, thereby pressing the sponge member 6 to the extent shown by 6', so that the sponge member 6 acts as a sealing insertion.

As shown in Figure 4, the lid 4 may be provided with a central opening 5 or, as shown in Figure 5, with a number of openings 5 distributed over its surface 4'.

The container, when it is not being used, rests on the smooth bottom surface 1a, is closed by the closing cap 7, and is filled, for instance, with liquid cleaning and dressing means; when it is being used, the cap 7 is unscrewed and the container is inverted, that is to say, the sponge member 6 lies downwards, and it is thus, or in a strongly inclined position, so pressed on to the surface to be treated that when the sponge member 6 is pressed thereon, a portion of the liquid that has oozed into the sponge member flows out. When the surface is subsequently rubbed over, it is possible, according to the position of the container 1 and the pressure that is applied, to press more or less liquid out of the sponge member or allow it to be sucked in again.

The sponge member 6 of polyurethan foam may be made of any desired outward shape; sharp edges facilitate the cleaning and dressing of grooves or drawn-in edges in the case of shoes or boots, for instance at places between the edge of the sole and the upper.

The cleaning and dressing means may, more particularly in the case of dressing of white leather or of white shoes made of fabric, contain a pigment dye; in this case, it is advantageous to use a sponge member with larger pores than in the case of waxes and fatty dyes completely dissolved in the liquid, such as are preferably employed in the case of colored shoes or boots.

In the case of a device used for powder or paste, the sponge member 6 is provided on its inner surface with a deep recess 60. The outer end surface of the sponge member 6 may be provided with one or more recesses 6b (see Figures 6 and 8). Owing to the small thickness of the sponge member 6 between the inner recess 6:: and the outer recess 6b, the dressing and coloring means that has penetrated into the pores of the sponge member comes out preferably at the end surface of the sponge member 6. During the subsequent rubbing action of the surface, more or less powder or paste can be pressed out of the sponge member and be at the same time distributed over the leather surface, according to the position of the con tainer 1 andthe pressure that. is thereby exerted.

An embodiment according to the invention, in which the container is constructed as a cylindrical tube having a diameter of 3-4 cm. and being about 68 cm. long has proved to be especially easy to handle and advantageous. The closing cap may be provided at its upper edge with ribs to facilitate the screwing on and off.

The production of such a device of aluminum, that can be deep-drawn well and be easily provided with screwthreads by rolling, provides an easy and inexpensive construction that is very suitable, especially for export, particularly to the tropics.

In order to ensure fluid-tightness during transport, it is an advantage to secure the closing cap in its closed position by means of a surrounding adhesive strip stuck upon the container as well as upon the screw-cap.

The name and/or the trade mark of the manufacturer may, if desired, be provided on the adhesive strip.

Finally the whole of the device may be provided on the outside with an adhering paper or foil covering, the color of which indicates also the color of the contents.

In the case of devices intended for easily liquefiable or finely pulverized dressing means, it'is an advantage to make the container of the dressing means of a transparent artificial material so that the contents of the container can be seen directly from the outside.

If such a container is provided with an adhering paper or foil covering, it is advisable to leave free, at least at the lower end of the container, a portion of the surface, for instance an annular strip or a rectangular window, so that the contents can be checked.

I claim:

1. A device for cleaning and dressing boots and shoes, leather and leather-like textile materials by applying a cleaning and dressing medium in a fine state of subdivision to the surfaces to be treated and rubbing it on, comprising: a cylindrical container open at the upper end for accommodating the cleaning and dressing medium, a lid in the open end of the container, the outer edge of the lid being bent up at right angles and bearing sealingly on the internal peripheral surface of the cylindrical container, a one-piece resilient porous sponge body secured in the lid and projecting a substantial distance out of the lid and outwards from the container, the surface of the lid being formed with a passage connecting the interior of the container with the sponge body, the under surface of the sponge body being formed with a deep central recess communicating with the passage in the lid and therefore with the interior of the container, and the said recess extending so far into the sponge body that the distance between the inner end of the recess and the external surface of the sponge body is substantially less than the distance between the passage in the lid and the peripheral surface of the sponge body, an external screw thread near the upper edge of the container, and a screw-threaded cap adapted to be screwed on to the external thread on the container, and adapted, when so screwed on, to compress the sponge body.

2. A device for cleaning and dressing boots and shoes, leather and leather-like textile materials as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sponge body is externally of cylindrical form, with a flat end face, and with a shallow central recess in this outer end face.

3. A device for cleaning and dressing boots and shoes, leather and leather-like textile materials by applying a cleaning and dressing medium in a fine state of subdivision to the surfaces to be treated and rubbing it on, comprising: a cylindrical container open at the upper end for accommodating the cleaning and dressing medium, a lid in the open end of the container, the outer edge of the lid being bent up at right angles and bearing sealingly on the internal peripheral surface of the cylindrical container, a one-piece resilient porous sponge body secured in the lid and projecting a substantial distance out of the lid and outwards from the container, the surface of the lid being formed with a passage connecting the interior of the container with the sponge body, the under surface of the sponge body being formed with a deep central recess communicating with the passage in the lid and therefore with the interior of the container, and the said recess extending so far into the sponge body that the distance between the inner end of the recess and the external end surface of the sponge body is substantially less than the distance between the passage in the lid and the peripheral surface of the sponge body, the outer flat end face of the said sponge body having a shallow central recess, and the distance between the inner ends of the two said recesses being about one-quarter of the distance between the side wall of the said inner recess and the peripheral surface of the sponge body.

4. A device for cleaning and dressing boots and shoes, leather and leather-like materials as claimed in claim 3, the container being formed with an external screw thread near its upper edge, and the device further comprising a screw-threaded cap adapted to be screwed on to the external screw thread on the container, and adapted, when so screwed on, to compress the sponge References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 173,064 Rose Feb. 1, 1876 205,247 Cushrnan June 25, 1878 779,503, Robbins Jan. 10, 1905 1,495,149 Ball Mar. 27, 1924 1,939,612 Rose Dec. 12, 1933 1,949,976 Runnels Mar. 6, 1934 2,100,855 Kelly Nov. 30, 1937 2,267,075 Brown Dec. 23, 1941 2,296,761 Becker's Sept. 22, 1942 2,307,044 Huston Jan. 5, 1943 2,416,069 Scott Feb. 18, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 176,157 Switzerland June 17, 1935 473,262 Italy July 21, 1952 521,943 Great Britain June 5, 1940 

